Aurora issues 21 retail marijuana licenses

After years of saying no to retail marijuana, the city of Aurora has issued licenses to 21 shops that plan to sell recreational pot.

Aurora could have recreational pot shops open by October. Colorado’s third-largest city does not allow medical marijuana retailers, and has had a moratorium on recreational retailers.

City officials decided to divide the city into six parts and allow four marijuana shops in each area.

Some applicants were awarded more than one location. The city received 58 applications for sales, and the eligibility criteria were lengthy.

Aurora required applicants to have at least $400,000 of liquid assets, which narrowed the pool to mostly Denver-based industry veterans.